Lessons From the Epistles to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians
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Sabbath, November 21, 2026Lesson 8
The Family and Beyond MEMORY VERSE: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Suggested Reading:
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 527–540
“We must have the Spirit of God, or we can never have harmony in the home. . . . If one errs, the other will exercise Christlike forbearance and not draw coldly away.”—The Adventist Home, p. 118.
1. APPEALS TO WOMEN Sun, Nov 15
a. How can a wife promote beautiful harmony in her marriage? Proverbs 14:1; Ephesians 5:33 (last part); Colossians 3:18.“The relation of husband and wife is most sacred and solemn.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 6, p. 43.“Many husbands stop at the words, ‘Wives, submit yourselves,’ but we will read the conclusion of the same injunction, which is, ‘As it is fit in the Lord.’“God requires that the wife shall keep the fear and glory of God ever before her. Entire submission is to be made only to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has purchased her as His own child by the infinite price of His life. God has given her a conscience, which she cannot violate with impunity. Her individuality cannot be merged into that of her husband, for she is the purchase of Christ. It is a mistake to imagine that with blind devotion she is to do exactly as her husband says in all things, when she knows that in so doing, injury would be worked for her body and her spirit, which have been ransomed from the slavery of Satan. There is One who stands higher than the husband to the wife; it is her Redeemer, and her submission to her husband is to be rendered as God has directed—’as it is fit in the Lord.’ ”—The Adventist Home, p. 116.“The wife, if she has the spirit of Christ, will be careful of her words; she will control her spirit, she will be submissive, and yet will not feel that she is a bondslave, but a companion to her husband.”—Ibid., p. 118.
2. A FORGOTTEN APPEAL Mon, Nov 16
a. How are women who fear God to value His principles of behavior—and also be encouraged by their families and churches in so doing? 1 Peter 3:1–6; Philippians 2:14.“There are idols cherished in our families and in our churches today which have the same influence upon us as did the golden calf upon the Israelites. Will the people search themselves? Will the shepherds do their work as faithful sentinels of God? Will they see what idols they are cherishing? Will every one that is in moderate circumstances consider that they are to be a people distinct and separate in their fashions of dress, their speech, their deportment, from the world? Will they see their idolatry in small as well as in large matters, and that it is separating them from God? When reproofs come they are ashamed, but not repentant.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 941.“Showy, extravagant dress too often encourages lust in the heart of the wearer and awakens base passions in the heart of the beholder. God sees that the ruin of the character is frequently preceded by the indulgence of pride and vanity in dress.”—Counsels on Health, p. 602.“Fashion has been the goddess who has ruled the outside world, and she often insinuates herself into the church. The church should make the word of God her standard, and parents should think intelligently upon this subject. When they see their children inclined to follow worldly fashions, they should, like Abraham, resolutely command their households after them. Instead of uniting them with the world, connect them with God.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 499.“To protect the people of God from the corrupting influence of the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health, the dress reform was introduced among us. It was not intended to be a yoke of bondage, but a blessing.”—Ibid., vol. 4, p. 634.b. What strengthens the church to uphold godly practices and protect morality in a godless world? Titus 2:1–5; Matthew 5:8.“My sisters, you should avoid even the appearance of evil. In this fast age, which is reeking with corruption, you are not safe unless you stand guarded. Virtue and modesty are rare. I appeal to you as followers of Jesus Christ, making a high and exalted profession, to cherish this precious, priceless gem, modesty. This will guard virtue.”—A Solemn Appeal, p. 151.
3. APPEALS TO MEN Tue, Nov 17
a. In committing to marry, what must a man realize? Colossians 3:19.“When husbands require the complete subjection of their wives, declaring that women have no voice or will in the family, but must render entire submission, they place their wives in a position contrary to the Scripture. In interpreting the Scripture in this way, they do violence to the design of the marriage institution. This interpretation is made simply that they may exercise arbitrary rule, which is not their prerogative. But we read on, ‘Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.’ Why should the husband be bitter against his wife? If the husband has found her erring and full of faults, bitterness of spirit will not remedy the evil. . . .“It was not the design of God that the husband should have control, as head of the house, when he himself does not submit to Christ. He must be under the rule of Christ that he may represent the relation of Christ to the church.”—The Adventist Home, pp. 116, 117.“Many men love their wives, but are too selfish to manifest it. They have a false dignity and pride, and will not show their love by words and deeds. There are many men who never know how starved is the heart of the wife for words of tender appreciation and affection. They bury their loved ones from their sight and murmur at the providence of God that has deprived them of their companions, when, could they look into the inner life of those companions, they would see that their own course was the cause of their premature death.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 527, 528.b. What inspires true love in a man for his wife—and how is his connection with God affected by his attitude? Ephesians 5:25, 33 (first part); 1 Peter 3:7.“Husbands should study the pattern and seek to know what is meant by the symbol presented in Ephesians, the relation Christ sustains to the church. The husband is to be as a Saviour in his family. Will he stand in his noble, God-given manhood, ever seeking to uplift his wife and children? Will he breathe about him a pure, sweet atmosphere? Will he not as assiduously cultivate the love of Jesus, making it an abiding principle in his home, as he will assert his claims to authority?“Let every husband and father study to understand the words of Christ, not in a one-sided manner, merely dwelling upon the subjection of the wife to her husband, but in the light of the cross of Calvary, study as to his own position in the family circle.”—The Adventist Home, p. 117.
4. PARENTS AND CHILDREN Wed, Nov 18
a. Explain our duty to our parents. Deuteronomy 5:16; Colossians 3:20.“Children who dishonor and disobey their parents, and disregard their advice and instructions, can have no part in the earth made new. The purified new earth will be no place for the rebellious, the disobedient, the ungrateful son or daughter.”—The Adventist Home, p. 295.“There is no time when children should withhold respect and love from their father and mother. While the parents live, it should be the children’s joy to honor and respect them. They should bring all the cheerfulness and sunshine into the life of the aged parents, that they possibly can. . . .“The thought that children have ministered to the comfort of their parents is a thought of satisfaction all through the life, and will especially bring them joy when they themselves are in need of sympathy and love. Those whose hearts are filled with love will regard the privilege of smoothing the passage to the grave for their parents an inestimable privilege. They will rejoice that they had a part in bringing comfort and peace to the last days of their loved parents.”—The Review and Herald, November 15, 1892.b. As parents, how are we bidden to make our own children’s duty toward us much easier for them? Colossians 3:21; Ephesians 4:32, 6:4.“Youth are ignorant and inexperienced, and the love of the Bible and its sacred truths will not come naturally. Unless great pains is taken to build up around them barriers to shield them from Satan’s devices, they are subject to his temptations and are led captive by him at his will. In their early years children are to be taught the claims of God’s law and faith in Jesus our Redeemer to cleanse from the stains of sin. . . .“Children can be molded when they are young. But years pass when their hearts are tender and susceptible to the impressions of truth, and but little time is devoted to their moral culture. The precious lessons of truth and duty should be instilled into their hearts daily.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 329.“When fathers and mothers realize how their children copy them, they will watch carefully every word and gesture.”—Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, p. 325.“Happy are the parents whose lives are a true reflection of the divine, so that the promises and commands of God awaken in the child gratitude and reverence; the parents whose tenderness and justice and long-suffering interpret to the child the love and justice and long-suffering of God.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 245.
5. ON THE JOB Thu, Nov 19
a. Regardless of our employment rank or position in society, what perspective inspires a genuinely Christian attitude in us? Colossians 3:22–4:1, 5.“There is science in the humblest kind of work, and if all would thus regard it, they would see nobility in labor. Heart and soul are to be put into work of any kind; then there is cheerfulness and efficiency. . . . There is honor in any class of work that is essential to be done. Let the law of God be made the standard of action and it ennobles and sanctifies all labor. Faithfulness in the discharge of every duty makes the work noble, and reveals a character that God can approve.“ ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.’ God desires the love that is expressed in heart service, in soul service, in the service of the physical powers. . . .“You can choose to become stereotyped in a wrong course of action because you have not the determination to take yourselves in hand and reform, or you may cultivate your powers to do the very best kind of service, and then you will find yourselves in demand anywhere and everywhere. You will be appreciated for all that you are worth. ‘Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.’ ‘Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.’ ”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, p. 1112.“We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to our heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choosing our words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 341, 342.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Nov 20
1. Explain the healthy balance that God directs for wives.2. Name an idolatrous distraction that often ends up as a snare.3. Describe the high calling of a husband in marriage.4. In my attitude toward my parents, how can I better reflect God’s will?5. How can I better reflect God’s will to those in my workplace?